Simon Brette Chronomètre Artisans Titanium

Simon Brette’s Chronomètre Artisans Rose is a contemporary independent watch rooted in traditional craft. Raised in Auvergne and trained in Neuchâtel, Brette worked at Chronode under Jean-François Mojon before roles at MCT and MB&F. In 2020, as independents surged at auction, he observed many smaller artisans nearing bankruptcy and created the Chronomètre Artisans to spotlight elite hand-finishing and the specialists behind it. The project earned the Revelation Prize at the 2023 GPHG. The SBCA was released first in Zirconium, followed by this Titanium model in 99 examples. This is compared to 12 in Zirconium (Sousription), 50 in rose, and 60 in steel.

The partially open dial reveals black-polished keyless works and the third and fourth wheels, with subsidiary seconds at 9:15 on sapphire. Conical mirrored silver bridges and gold wheels contrast against a deep black ground. The closed dial sections are finished in Brette’s tremblage-style hammering a multi-dimensional handmade texture executed by Yasmina Anti. Each dial takes days, with hundreds of thousands of hand-cut slabs.

The manual calibre favors architecture and finishing over headline complication. Inspired by observatory chronometers, it uses a dual-mainspring system for 72 hours of reserve with accuracy prioritized. Steel parts near the balance are in non-magnetic Phynox. Ratchet and crown wheels feature hand-polished vertical and internal wolf’s-teeth gearing for a tactile wind, machined largely by Mac Bolis and Alyna Rouelle. Finishing defines the watch. Each screw is uniquely concave and mirror-polished by Anton Peterson—about an hour apiece—using a technique developed after he first deemed it impossible; the same treatment appears on the barrel tops.

The 39mm case stands 10mm high, with satin flanks divided by concave polished bevels echoed in the crown. A dovetail inlay at 9 references Brette’s carpenter father. With about 48 examples made annually, the Chronomètre Artisans unites endangered crafts in a cohesive, beautifully resolved whole.

This example appears hardly worn. It comes as part of new auction house Marteau & Co's 'The Echo' Sale, with the full kit.